(oops) About Ananda of Rasa Ranch

[Guest guest]

7/26/02

 

Dear Friends,

 

Occasionally I receive feedback that seems to indicate that Ananda is

being placed high atop some kind of pedestal of purity and

perfection. Today, I feel very moved to address this.

 

The truth about Ananda is that she is no more special than your child

or you or me or anyone. Her beauty, innocence, and innate wisdom are

actually what lie in the core of our natural selves. All of us. What

is perhaps unique about her is that she has been raised with as little

interference of her natural expression as possible by those around

her. Because this is so utterly critical to us, we tend to lead a

rather radical lifestyle; however, each of us absolutely adores how

we live.

 

It wasn't always this easy. In Ananda's early life I had put her on

that same pedestal that I mentioned previously. This was probably

some kind of rebellion to the way that I and many of us were brought

up: not truly seen, heard, or appreciated for our natural,

"uncivilized" goodness, but regarded more as something which needed

to be taught, molded, or trained. Determined not to do this to my

new baby, I placed her up on that pedestal and do you know what

happened? By serving to fulfull her every desire, I utterly wore

myself out in exhaustion, became physically ill, and I was very

bitter. I ended up with a child who had become dependant on my

service, attention, and affection and she was showing signs of being

manipulative and demanding (and she wasn't even talking yet)....all

because I had ceased to recognize and honor that same original beauty

and purity in myself.

 

So, I just wanted to communicate as clearly as possible that I am not

living with an angel, a saint, or a sage. I am living with a child.

When there exists a mutual recognition of our inherent (and often

wondrous!) nature, we have what can be called an easy, flowing and

incredibly fulfilling relationship in which we learn from each other

every day.

 

Sincerely,

Kheyala